Phoenix Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire a villain in Portland

by Paul Coro - Apr. 28, 2010 09:26 PMThe Arizona Republic

Suns power forward Amar'e Stoudemire is about to receive a reception from Portland fans that will be as cold as their beach water.

Portland forward Nicolas Batum called him "dirty" after Game 3, during which Stoudemire threw an elbow at Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge on a rebound tussle. He received a Flagrant Foul 1 the next day.

Batum accused Stoudemire of a cheap-shot elbow to his injured shoulder in a testy Game 4, after which Stoudemire said he was adjusting his goggles.

Stoudemire has been painted as the series villain in Portland, a role reversal for the man who once accused Bruce Bowen of a playoff cheap shot.

"Phoenix Suns, dirty players," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said, chuckling. "Wow, we've come a long ways. Amar'e's not a dirty player. He's not even close to being a dirty player and neither do I think that anybody on their team is a dirty player. It's the same thing that happens in any playoff series. When you play somebody five times, there's going to be a little snippiness."

Stoudemire is the thorn in the side of Rose City. Blazers fans will breathe fire on him Thursday night.

"That's fine," Stoudemire said. "I love it. It definitely gets me riled up. I play better that way. It's the playoffs. Both teams have been physical.

"They're loud but it doesn't bother me. When you're home, it's great because your fans are with you. When you're away, it's almost a little bit better to me because they're loud and they're against you. It motivates me. When you win, it feels great."

He could be as frustrated with the second and third bodies constantly coming at him defensively.

"This is probably one of the most physical playoff series I've played in," he said. "(Portland center) Juwan Howard, for one, is a great veteran player. He's tried to mix it up physically, which is only right because he's a vet. He knows how the playoffs go. It makes it fun to play. At the same time, you just want to prevent injuries."

Lopez nears playing

Center Robin Lopez could fully practice and scrimmage with the team Friday or Saturday and be cleared for a possible second-round Game 1 Monday , Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said.

He has been rehabilitating a bulging disk and not played a game since March 26.

Lopez progressed to playing in a two-on-two controlled half-court game Wednesday. If there are no setbacks, he will practice this weekend.

"Fatigue is going to be a huge issue, whether it's Monday or the following Monday," Nelson said.

Lopez will have his weekly checkup Monday.

Roy to start

Portland star Brandon Roy plans to start Thursday in his third game back from knee surgery, but that will not take Grant Hill off the role of defending Andre Miller, Gentry said.

Suns guard Steve Nash covered Rudy Fernandez or Jerryd Bayless to start games but Gentry would not say whether he or Jason Richardson would take Roy, leaving the 6-foot-8 Batum for the other.

Name on the back

For the first time since returning to Phoenix, Nash's jersey did not crack the NBA top 15 in sales this season. Phoenix ranked 10th for team jersey sales.

Phoenix Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire hasn't made any friends in Portland, and he's just fine with that.

More on this topic

Western Conference finals• Game 1: Monday, at Los Angeles, 6 p.m., TNT• Game 2: May 19, at Los Angeles, 6 p.m., TNT• Game 3: at US Airways Center, TBD• Game 4: at US Airways Center, TBD• Game 5:* at Los Angeles, TBD• Game 6:* at US Airways Center, TBD• Game 7:* at Los Angeles, TBD* - If necessary